While the teams that secured the appearance in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League competitions through their national championships are currently on their summer tours raising their fan bases on a different continents, other less famous squads are playing in the qualification rounds in order to get there.
The second qualifying round is the last one in which the matchups between the teams with big difference in quality are still possible and after Wednesday we will know the names of another 17 squads which will join already known 13 squads that will compete in the third qualifying round. Official summer-time soccer competitions are quickly unraveling as the starts of national League competitions are coming closer.
Celtic (Sco) vs. Linfield (Nir)
Three-Way: 1: Celtic -1667; X: +1900; Linfield +5650
Spread -3.5: Celtic +10/; Linfield -133
Total +4: Over -108; Under -105
CELTIC
The 48-time Scottish champion Celtic team has also been very lucky in this Champions League stage’s draw as they got to lock horns with the Northern Ireland’s representative in the competition. Difference in the quality was evident in the first leg when the Scotts managed to pull out a 2:0 win on the road with one goal each by Mark Haughey and Tom Rogic. Rematch at Celtic Park should be the matter of formality as both fans and players have their minds set on the next stage.
During the offseason team seven new players including central midfielder Olivier Ntcham who came from Manchester City U23 squad for a fee worth 5.00 Million Euros. On the other side 12 players left the squad, all as free agents or on the free transfer basis. English manager Brendan Rodgers will not have defenders Dedryck Boyata (Knee) and Christian Gamboa (Wound) at his disposal.
LINFIELD
The 51-time Northern Ireland champion Linfield team entered the second qualifying round of the Champions League after defeating San Marino’s champions La Fiorita 1:0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round. This has proved to be a solid success this season but unlucky draw of Scottish champions in this stage is just not working well for the team as they obviously reached their limit in the European team competitions.
During the offseason one new player was signed (right midfielder Jordan Stewart who came from Swindon Town on a free transfer basis) while six players left the team, mostly as free agents except right-back Sean Ward who signed for the league rival Crusaders on a free transfer. Head Coach David Healy will have his entire roster available for the rematch.
Celtic (Sco) vs. Linfield (Nir) – Match Prediction:
This is the second biggest mismatch of the stage, after Salzburg-Hibernians and a similar result should take place. Certain home team win is where I would put my money on.
MY PICK: Celtic (Sco) -3333
Honved (Hun) vs. H. Beer Sheva (Isr).
Three-Way: 1: Honved +240; X: +248; H. Beer Sheva +141
Spread 0: Honved +125; H. Beer Sheva -137
Total +2.5: Over +104; Under -106
HONVED
The Hungarian champions Honved Budapest team recorded a solid result in the first round on the road as they got defeated 2:1 in Israel. The fact that they managed to score a road goal means that a minimal 1:0 home win might be enough to advance into the next stage. Nevertheless, they will face a very strong and dangerous opponent and there is no time for relaxing and looking beyond the next crucial matchup.
During the offseason team strengthened its roster by promoting seven youngsters from their U19 team and two new signings were presented including midfielder Zsolt Poloskei who came from their league rival FC Videoton on a free transfer. On the other side five players left the team including defensive midfielder Adam Hajdu who signed for the Paksi FC for an undisclosed fee. Dutch manager Erik van der Meer will have his entire roster available.
HAPOEL BEER SHEVA
The Israeli champions Hapoel Beer Sheva is facing a realistic chances of advancing to the next stage of the Champions League after a 2.1 home win in the first leg. Miguel Vitor and Dan Einbinder were the heroes of the first matchup at Toto Jacob Turner Stadium with one goal scored each but they’ll definitely have to be in the good mood if they want to secure the third qualifying round berth.
Four new players arrived in order to strengthen the squad’s roster including twenty six years old Spanish winger Isaac Cuenca who came from Granada CF on a free transfer. On the other side, five players left the team, all as free agents or on the free transfer basis. Head coach Barak Bakhar will have his entire roster available for the crucial rematch.
Honved (Hun) vs. H. Beer Sheva (Isr) – Match Prediction:
If any matchups go to the extra time during this round it will be this one. Teams are equally strong and the Champions League first round result gives enough maneuvering space to both teams. I would go here with over 2.5 goals in total, aiming for the 2:1 result for the home team.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (+104)
Legia (Pol) vs. Mariehamn (Fin)
Three-Way: 1: Legia -769; X: +1000; Mariehamn +3325
Spread -2.5: Legia +106; Mariehamn -106
Total +3.5: Over +104; Under -120
LEGIA
The 12-time Polish champions Legia Warszawa team is along with Celtic and Salzburg one leg in the next stage after they outplayed the Finish champions in the first leg as visitors. Goals by Guilherme, Dominik Nagy and Kasper Hamalainen were enough to seal the deal and reduce the chances of the opposing team advancement next to impossible. Now they are facing a training-like matchup in the second leg against obviously far weaker team and I’m sure that the fans are loving it.
During the offseason team signed six new players including Moroccan striker Armando Sadiku who came from FC Zurich for a fee worth 750.000 Euros. On the other side, central midfielder Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe was sold to the Greek champion Olympiacos team for a fee worth 2.5o Million Euros. Michael Kucharczyk (Knee), Miroslav Radovic (Knee), Tomasz Jodlowiec (Heel), Jakub Czerwinski (Shoulder), Daniel Chima Chukwu (Thigh), Michal Pazdan (Cold) and Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Ankle) are unavailable for the Wednesday’s rematch.
MARIEHAMN
The IFK Mariehamn team are coming off from the biggest success in the team’s history when it comes to the national competitions as they managed to win the Finnish Premier League for the first time. The newcomers into the Champions League haven’t been very lucky with the draw and this will probably be their last European competitions game this year but nevertheless we should be happy about this young team.
During the offseason team wasn’t very active in the transfer market as no new players signed and only one player left (striker Lucky Mkosana who signed for the New York Cosmos on a free transfer). Manager Peter Lundberg will have his entire roster available for the rematch.
Legia (Pol) vs. Mariehamn (Fin) – Match Prediction:
The team that will travel to the next stage is already known but I sense that this game might be one of the high-scoring ones as Legia team always plays for one goal more and the Finnish side doesn’t have anything to lose.
MY PICK: Over 2.5 goals (+104)
